See nativity scenes in Arlington

Emily Cook, 7, went to the Nativity Festival in Arlington last year with her brothers Jaren, 5, and Edwin, 3. Their parents, Jennifer and Darby Cook, are members of the Arlington Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Emily and Jaren dressed as Mary and Joseph and played with the kid-friendly nativity sets.

Jaren Cook, 5, went to the Nativity Festival in Arlington last year with her siblings Emily, 7, and Edwin, 3. Their parents, Jennifer and Darby Cook, are members of the Arlington Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Emily and Jaren dressed as Mary and Joseph and played with the kid-friendly nativity sets.

ARLINGTON -- The Arlington Nativity Festival plans to display hundreds of nativity scenes again this year Thursday through Sunday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.The public is invited to attend the event at the church at 17222 43rd Ave NE, Arlington. Admission and parking are free.Last year's festival included nearly 500 nativities collected from around the world, including some from Liberia, Australia, Peru, England and The Netherlands.Some of the nativity scenes were homemade. Children made the scenes from all sorts of craft items and objects from nature. Adults made others, including one stained glass creation.Children can play with friends, handle kid-friendly nativity pieces and make crafts in an activity room. They also have a chance to dress up in period costumes and have their photos taken in a children's nativity scene, complete with stables and handmade wooden animals. Copies of the photos will be available for free download from a secure site.A fireplace setting within this year's Life of Christ room will focus on bringing hope into homes through a Christ-centered life. Artwork and objects depicting the journey of Christ will be found throughout the space.Hours are 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, noon to 8:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Live music will be part of the backdrop to the festival, with the event's theme of hope and charity culminating in two evening chorale performances at 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.The festival is put on by the Arlington Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which includes members from North Marysville, Arlington, Darrington, Warm Beach, Lakewood, Stanwood and Camano Island.The church is located across from Walmart off of the 172nd Street exit to Arlington. Nativity festival scheduledThe Arlington Nativity Festival is scheduled from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, noon to 8:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Chorale concerts are scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.For more information about the festival, go to www.arlingtonnativityfestival.org.

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